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Below you'll find answers to common questions you might have about ads getting disapproved for legal reasons.
I. Copyright
A copyright is the legal right granted to an author, composer, playwright, or publisher to exclusive publication, production, sale, or distribution of a literary, musical, or artistic work. Learn more about Google's copyright policy.
What is the DMCA?
The DMCA is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a United States copyright law passed in October of 1998. Learn more about the DMCA at https://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf.
What are DMCA notifications?
DMCA notifications are allegations of copyright infringement filed by copyright holders in accordance with the requirements of the DMCA notice-and-take-down procedures. It's Google's policy to respond to such allegations of copyright infringement.
Who can file a DMCA notification?
Only the copyright owner or an authorized representative can file a DMCA infringement notice.
What does a DMCA notification look like?
View the example of a DMCA notification.
If my ads have been disapproved due to DMCA violations, can they be resubmitted?
In order to resubmit your ads for approval, you must file a counter-notification that complies with all of the requirements of the DMCA. To file a counter-notification, please fill out our DMCA counter-notification form.
Note that you can be liable for damages (including costs and attorneys' fees) if you materially misrepresent that the material or activity is not infringing the copyrights of others. If you aren't sure whether certain material infringes the copyrights of others, we suggest that you first contact an attorney. If you resubmit your ads without filing a valid DMCA counter-notification, your account may be terminated due to violation of our repeat infringement policy.
Will Google disapprove my ads if legal proceedings concerning the copyright are underway?
If you submit a valid DMCA counter-notification, but the person claiming copyright to the content in question initiates legal proceedings against you, Google won't re-approve your ads until a court order has been issued ruling in your favor.
II. "Anti" and violence (and Defamatory Content)
Ad text advocating against any organization, person, or group of people is not permitted. Similarly, attempts to revise history against the interests of a protected group are not permitted. The promotion of self-harm and violence against people or animals is prohibited. Learn more about Google's "anti" and violence policy.
If my ad was disapproved because it violated the "anti" and violence policy, can it be resubmitted?
After making any necessary changes to comply with our policy, review our instructions on how to resubmit an ad that was disapproved.
If my ad was disapproved because it contained allegedly defamatory content or linked to a page containing allegedly defamatory content, can it be resubmitted?
If we receive notice alleging that your ad contains defamatory content, or links to a page containing allegedly defamatory content, we will manually review the ad. If your ad is disapproved and you wish to resubmit your ad for approval, you will need to make the necessary changes to comply with our policy and follow our instructions on how to resubmit an ad that was disapproved. Remember that repeat infringement may result in the termination of your account. Please bear this in mind when you resubmit your ads for approval. After making any necessary changes to comply with our policy, review our instructions on how to resubmit an ad that was disapproved.
III. Underage-themed sexual content
Google prohibits advertising underage-themed sexual content. Google disallows this content even in cases in which a site may comply with government regulations surrounding this kind of advertising. Learn more about Google's policy on underage and non-consensual sexual acts.
IV. Other legal disapproval questions
You're responsible for ensuring that your ads comply with all applicable laws.
Where can I find more information about why my ad was disapproved?
Google will send you a notification when one of your ads is disapproved under our legal removals policy. Unfortunately, we can't provide any additional information beyond what's mentioned in the correspondence notifying you of the ad disapproval. Please remember that unless otherwise specified, Google and/or any Partner shall have the right at any time to reject or remove any ad, creative, and/or target for any or no reason. Please review our Google Ads Terms and Conditions for more information.
Can I get more information about a disapproval that was the result of a government request?
It's our policy to forward government requests to advertisers whose ads have been disapproved as a result of compliance with that specific request where permissible by law. Google will also count this request in our Transparency Report. Other than forwarding the government request to the advertiser and counting the government request in our Transparency Report, we're unable to provide additional information.
Will Google disapprove ads if legal proceedings are underway in cases other than copyright?
Google will review court orders directed at third parties who have posted allegedly unlawful content. To submit a third-party court order, you can fill out our third-party court order form . If your court order is directed at Google, please don't use this form, as we won't accept service of process here.
